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University Policies

University Policies

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ROWAN UNIVERSITY POLICY

Title: Classroom Behavior
Subject: Academic Affairs
Policy No: AA: 2017: 01
Applies: University-Wide
Issuing Authority: Provost/Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs
Responsible Officer: Academic Deans, Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students
Adopted:
Last Revision: 08/12/2024
Last Reviewed: 08/12/2024

 

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish the procedures that address disruptive behavior of students within the classroom environment either in person or remote.


II. ACCOUNTABILITY

Under direction of the Provost, all Academic Deans, Department Chairs, and the Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students shall implement this policy and all faculty shall ensure compliance with the policy.


III. APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all Rowan University student-instructor interactions in classrooms, labs, offices, and other campus learning environments.

IV. POLICY

  1. Rowan University recognizes that students have a significant role in creating and supporting the educational environment. Similarly, students have a right to learn and a responsibility to participate in the learning process. While Rowan University is committed to the fundamental principles of freedom of speech, including controversial positions taken in the classroom, all types of speech and behavior must be balanced with principles of appropriate classroom behavior.
  2. Furthermore, course instructors have a right to establish clear expectations regarding appropriate and orderly learning environments. Students share the responsibilities associated with maintaining a quality learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to the behavioral expectations outlined by the instructor (either in the syllabus or at the time the behavior occurs) may be subject to discipline in accordance with the procedures described in this classroom behavior policy.
  3. Students and instructors are expected to follow the procedures described below when a concern about student behavior in the classroom arises. This policy does not replace or preclude any Rowan policies or local, state or federal laws concerning unlawful behaviors, whether inside or outside the classroom, including those concerning the health and safety of class members or the instructor.
  4. What is Disruptive Behavior? Any action, behavior or speech in which the evidence demonstrates a finding is more likely than not, that the conduct exhibited interferes or compromises the learning environment and hampers the instructor’s ability to teach and students to learn. 
  5. What Constitutes Disruption? 
    1. Disruptive behavior can be classified as and include, but is not limited to:
      1. Persistent speaking without permission
      2. Engaging in activities not related to the class
      3. Inappropriate use of electronic devices
      4. Sleeping in class that is unrelated to a documented medical or mental health diagnosis and/or accommodation
      5. Chronically entering class late or leaving early that is unrelated to a medical or mental health diagnosis and/or accommodation
      6. Eating/drinking in class without permission
      7. Verbally confronting a faculty member or another student using utterances that have the effect of insulting or demeaning them in such a way that it causes disruption or interference with the classroom environment
      8. Engaging in physical violence, threats, harassment, intimidation, bullying, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person as described in the Student Code of Conduct.
    2. Some students who engage in disruptive behavior may have emotional or mental health diagnoses. Although such students may be protected under the Rehabilitation Act/ADA, they are held to the same standards of conduct as any student. Students with ADA and/or documented needs for accommodations are encouraged to register with the Office of Accessibility Services which will provide faculty with documentation for appropriate accommodations before the beginning of a semester (or immediately when the accommodation is put into effect).  
  6. Procedures for Addressing Disruptive Behaviors
    1. The instructor is encouraged to speak with the student in private and warn the student that such behavior is unacceptable and, if such behavior continues, it may result in the student being directed to leave the classroom. The instructor is advised to make a written record of this incident for their personal records in the event further action is needed. Note, any acts of physical violence and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person should immediately be reported to Public Safety and the Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students.
    2. If the instructor feels the behavior warrants prompt action and/or the behavior continues, the instructor must direct the student to leave the classroom immediately. If the student refuses to leave, the instructor should contact Public Safety at 856-256-4911. No matter the outcome (immediate or future), when disruptive classroom behavior occurs, the instructor is encouraged to complete and submit the Classroom Disruption Reporting Form within 24 hours of the incident Classroom Disruption Reporting Form (maxient.com). The Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students, Vice-President of Student Affairs, Assistant Vice-President for Community Health and Well-Being, Senior Director Office of Accessibility Services, and the Associate Provost for Wellness and Inclusivity will be the recipients of the document and share the information as appropriate with other University officials.
    3. In incidents where a student is directed to leave the classroom, the instructor and student should attempt to resolve the issue prior to the next class meeting. The instructor should provide the student with a concise explanation of the behavior that led to their dismissal from the class and what is expected of the student before returning to the class. The instructor is encouraged to seek additional support to resolve the matter from their Dean or Department Chair.
    4. If the issue is unresolved to either the instructor’s and/or the student’s satisfaction, then the Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students must be notified immediately.
  7. Disruptive Behavior
    1. All disruptive classroom behaviors that possess a threat and danger to others must be referred to the Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students for referral to the appropriate form of adjudication.
    2. The student will be notified concerning violations of the Student Code of Conduct and will have a hearing opportunity before being sanctioned for misconduct. Once a decision is made, the following will be notified in writing of the decision: the student, the instructor, the department chair and the dean of the college where the course is housed.

V   ATTACHMENT

  1. Attachment 1 – Classroom Disruption Behavior Form
    Classroom Disruption Reporting Form (maxient.com)


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